Lifestyle – Definition, Healthy Lifestyle, and More

We explain a lifestyle, the origin of this concept, and examples of healthy and harmful lifestyles.

What is a Lifestyle?

Lifestyle: When we talk about lifestyle or living habits, we usually refer to a combination of touchable and intangible factors, that is, physical and psychological or cultural aspects that make up the way of life of an individual or a group.

In other words, it is a preference concerning the type of food consumed, activities performed, and recurring habits that define a person’s life (the way of life, in English) or community.

It is a sociological concept that allows an approximation of the ideas, values, and behaviors of human communities. The concept emerged in the 1910s and is attributed to the Austro-Hungarian psychologist Alfred Adler (1870-1937), who initially defined it as “the system of rules of conduct developed by individuals to achieve their goals in life.” Nowadays, it is understood more as the path chosen to live.

The use of the concept became enormously popular after 1928. It was mainly associated with particular gastronomic idiosyncrasies (the Mediterranean lifestyle, the American lifestyle, etc.).

Consequently, at the end of the century, it also began to be associated with longevity and disease rates, to the point that today there is much debate about which habits are healthy or harmful for a healthy, long and active life, that is, which are healthy lifestyles and which are detrimental.

Healthy Lifestyles

Although there is room for discussion about what foods and in what quantities or frequencies are healthy for the human body, doctors usually prefer certain eating styles and, above all, their combination with specific physical activity schemes. Thus, there is more or less consensus as to what a healthy lifestyle is, and it implies maintaining:

A Balanced Diet

A balanced diet eating foods from all the groups of the nutritional pyramid, in the right proportions and in just enough portions to keep us from losing weight but not gaining it. It means that we should consume 30-40 kilocalories per day of importance, according to the following distribution: 50-55% carbohydrates, 15-20% monounsaturated fats (and 5% polyunsaturated and no more than 7-8% saturated), and 10% protein. It includes a daily intake of 20-25 grams of vegetable fiber.

A Physical Exercise Routine

A physical exercise routine generally involves 30 minutes of physical activity a day to burn excess energy (fat) and strengthen muscles and bones.

Good Private Hygiene

Good private hygiene includes body washing, hand washing (especially before eating), l. A. Oral and dental hygiene, and the hygiene of the environment in which we live. These conditions will help us get tasteless often.

An Enriching Social Life

An enriching social life that is, cultivate affection and l. A. Friendship, love, and companionship, since we are gregarious animals, so the angels accept and l. A. Belonging are compelling feelings within our psyche. The need for a minimum social life to lead a healthy existence is more than proven.

A Stable Emotional and Psychological Life

A stable emotional and psychological life for which communication is essential, psychotherapy if needed, and avoiding situations or substances that disturb mental health.

Harmful Lifestyles

Just as healthy lifestyles, there are also harmful ones that threaten health, leading to a shorter existence, more plagued by diseases and ailments. In general, detrimental lifestyles include:

Diets P.C. Varied

Diets P.C. varied made up of one or a few ingredients from different groups, especially when this means eating large amounts of fat (especially polyunsaturated or saturated), a large number of sugars and carbohydrates, and, as standard, much red meat. This diet is related to the early onset of obesity, diabetes, and cancer. However, a too austere diet can lead to anemia or vitamin deficiency.

Sedentary Life

Sedentary life general and prolonged absence of exercise, which favors l. A. Accumulation of fat weakens muscle tissue and further complicates the consequences of a poor diet. Hypertension and obesity are directly related to a sedentary lifestyle.

Excessive Consumption of Tobacco and Alcohol

Excessive consumption of tobacco and alcohol among other materials with harmful effects on the body, whose link with the disease is well demonstrated. Smoking is not only an element of cancer and coronary diseases but also destroys the oral mucosa, while alcoholism ruins liver cells and contributes to aging. Not to mention illegal drugs, whose outcome on him. A. Life is disastrous, given its addictive component.

Lack of Hygiene

Lack of hygiene both in the body, dental, and the environment, promotes the appearance of diseases and contributes to the deterioration of living conditions. It is essential in countries with poor public service infrastructure, as is often the case in the so-called third world.

Social Isolation

Social isolation because of being gregarious animals, humans wither in solitude and l. A. Absence of meaningful social contacts: love, friendship, companionship, and so on. In the words of the English thinker John Donne, “no man is an island.”

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress often referred to as the “silent killer,” does not seem to have a significant impact on people’s quality of life, but in the long run, a life model with high and sustained levels of Stress affects hypertension and leads to problems such as insomnia, which in turn have negative consequences on the psyche and metabolism.